ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT

2012, Blue Sky Studios

Animated

Rating: PG

Approx. 88 mins.

THE STORY:

The film begins in a familiar way: environmental change threatens the survival of Manny (Ray Romano) the mammoth and his 'tribe,' and they are on the move to safer ground. Early into their journey, the group is split up by the shifting ground beneath them and the mission becomes to reunite.

As if the natural threat isn't enough, Manny, Sid (John Leguizamo) and Diego (Dennis Leary) are soon beset by a dangerous band of rag-tag pirates led by the blood-thirsty Captain Gutt (Peter Dinklage). The Tribe manages to take the pirates' ship and even convert one of his crew, sabre tooth tiger Shira (Jennifer Lopez), to their side. In the end, good triumphs over evil and the Tribe's relationships are only stronger for the challenge.  

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• stupid
• a few sound alikes: "holy crab", something that sounds suspiciously like "old b*tch"

VIOLENCE:

• some fighting scenes and talk of impending death, but no blood or death
• a pretty unpleasant description of the gutting process

TEACHING POINTS:

• Choose your friends based on how they treat you, not based on who they are
• Show loyalty and respect to friends and family, and you can expect the same
• We can always make choices about who we want to be   

THE UPSHOT:

This is the 4th movie in the series-- I do wish they numbered the films as it would have helped me see them in order-- and it is still pretty solid. The characters stay true to themselves, and the treatment of the deja vu-inducing themes is new enough that it isn't a pointless rehash. That said, the film is a bit thin on story. 

What allows Continental Drift to succeed is precisely what allowed the previous three to succeed: appealing characters and clever humour that appeals to all age groups. And, as usual, the message about making wise choices in who we befriend and how we treat our friends is valid without being cloying.

It's not the best of the four Ice Age movies, and it's not an instant kids' classic. What it is, is fun to watch. Recommended. 

4/5